Day 121 BYU Idaho

I have been thinking about this blog and all the boring family events I talk about.   I'm sure that each week I talk about Family Home Evening, Church activities, friends that come over, food, weight loss, and at times my personal mental moments.  I have no fore thought about what to write about so it is whatever comes to my mind about the day.  I'm going to change my format a little and try to write about one particular event that happened in the day.  This will give me something to look for and focus on in the day.  Maybe it will be a child or something.

Today I am going to focus on Emily because in a few months she will be leaving and going off to college.  I have those same feelings that I felt when Jessica's senior year was coming to a close.  The feelings of letting go and wandering if we have taught her everything she needs to move on.  Emily is not a big decision maker.  It's hard for her to make the decision but if someone will tell her what to do she will do what you tell her to.  She did after a lot of coaching sign up for housing at BYU Idaho.  So there is a decision made she will be going to BYU Idaho this coming year.  I'm very excited for her and the upcoming experiences she will be having. It was a hard to choice to make between Virginia Tech and BYU Idaho.  Her housing will be off campus.  She is excited and scared at the same time.  We are happy that Jessy will be near by to help her figure out college life.  It is strange to think of both of my oldest gone away to college.  I guess onward and upward in their lives, but for the summer they are mine for just a little longer!

Day 120

Sundays are a nice break in the week.  I like that after a long day of churching we sit down and eat dinner together and talk about the day.  Today we enjoyed a pot roast that was cooked in the crock pot along with carrots and potatoes.  It was very tasty!  I enjoyed listening to the complaining as the dishes were done.  I didn't get up to help and I let them work out the differences on their own.  I enjoyed watching a show with Bill as the children got ready for bed.  As always I love the blissful feeling of drifting off to sleep at the end of a Sabbath day.

Day 119 Bathroom Humor

For all you mothers out there who can appreciate some bathroom humor that stays in the bathroom, here is my sign that is directly above the potty.  I hope it will remind those of the male persuasion to take aim.  I had so much fun designing this one.  I love that I chuckle every time I see it!

Besides making signs I had Bill help me put up wains coat up in the master bedroom.  I have a large honey do list so whenever I have Bill at home for more than an hour at a time I try to get Bill on one of my honey do's.  I have these projects that I want done but I am not able to complete by myself, so today after cleaning the church I had him help cut and install the wains coat.  This is part one of the master bedroom makeover, the next part is the trim.  Then I can paint the room, which I can do without Bill.  Lucky him and lucky me because I don't have to wait until he has time.  I love making over a room because it is like fitting a puzzle and I can't wait to see the finished product, however the problem is I want it done fast.  Sometimes I learn patience because I have to rely on some one's brawn and ability to use  man tools.  Looking forward to having a new looking bedroom and patience.

Day 118

Today Jessy and I tried our hand at making a big vinyl sign to place above our windows in the kitchen.  I love the way it turned out!  I am hoping it will remind us to be grateful, give love, and pray often, so that the rest will fall into the right place!

I went into weight watchers today happy yet knowing that I had gained.  I was happy because I had worked out everyday tracked most days.  Why I gained I don't know but I'm keeping a good attitude and know that it will all come off.  The journey of daily choices in every part of life is what makes changing worth it.
 Gain of 1.2 lbs
total loss for 17 weeks 34.4 lbs

Jessy  is busy taking senior photos for Emily and some of her friends.  Today she took Emily and Kaitlyn around old town for a photo shoot here is a shot of Emily.

Day 117 Another Car?

Transportation is a major factor with having teenage kids.  There are always activities to attend and things to do.  But there is only two places the two cars can be at any given moment, so sometimes compromises must be made.  It's very difficult to make the choice of who is not going to go somewhere when all the activities are good, so tonight it was my turn to not attend.  Here's how it went.  Emily had a youth camp meeting (thankfully Sister Dzaran volunteered to take her to the Gainsville building).  I wanted to attend a baby shower.  Jessica wanted to attend institute.  Now, all would have worked out, but then Bill had to stay late at work so now two people needed to use one car and it wasn't like one could drop off the other and then return and pick up the other.  So I delivered the gift early to the baby shower and Jessy was able to attend institute and the young adult activity.  Bill got home about 8:00 from work, Emily at 9:30, and Jessy, I think, came home at 10:30.  Maybe it is time to buy a car for the kids so we can all attend everything we think is important.

Day 116

A couple of day ago Jason asked me if I could help him ask Emily to Osbourn's prom.  I told him I would help if he came up with the idea.  Tonight Emily and Jason went out to dinner at Olive Garden, where he asked her to go to prom!  It was an exciting night for Emily.  I guess he didn't need my help after all !!!!   Oh now we'll be looking for dresses and shoes oh my!

Day 115 Dance

Dance Dance Dance!!!!!   The youth are getting ready for youth conference by having dance practice every Tuesday(or close to) night.  7 stakes will be getting together for youth conference this summer and having a dance festival!  It looks like it will be a fun time after they get through learning how to do all the lifts steps and throws! Willy and Emily seem to be having fun.  But the looks on the leaders faces seem to be questioning the wisdom in the dance!  Youth conference is in the middle of July at one of the high schools in Woodbridge!  It will be great for the youth to see and associate with youth from the region.  They will have three performances and I am sure they will be awesome after all the practice!   Love how we keep the youth busy learning and doing new things! It will seem July is right around the corner as they practice more and more!

Day 114 Onderland

I noticed that one Friday I forgot to spread my exciting news.  I'm in onederland.  That's the fun way of saying I have officially left the 200 pound weight class and have moved down into the one hundreds!  I am planning never to reenter the 200's again in my life.  I feel better physically.  My blood pressure is down and I have more energy.  I'm almost half way to my goal so I say to myself keep going you can do it.  This time you can change your life habits and make it stick for good!
Weigh in results for 4/20/12
Lost 4.4 pounds
Total for 16 weeks 35.6 pounds!

Day 113 Love is in the Air

I Love watching how life changes and how perspectives change as children grow up.  This past several months it has been interesting to see Emily now a senior change.  My once shy quite child has become loud talkative and beaming with enthusiasm, and I think it's because she is head over hills for Jason.  I'm not sure if she sleeps much because she stays up late doing homework and texting.  She has been busy going to activities like dances, plays, and games.  She is crazy happy!  We enjoy Jason coming over after school and any other friends Emily sees fit to bring over, (in fact it's been a while since we've seen Ibrihim.) I guess it's official on face book so I can say it here they're a couple.  It's weird to say that but in the fall off to school, missions and such, so I hope they enjoy doing fun activities together with their friends and hold hands once in a while and LOL together.

 It's hard for me to see Emily graduating and heading off to school in the fall so I have been trying to back away and let her make more of her decisions and not getting on her about homework and chores, but at the same time my heart wants to grab her and smother her and not let her go.  I think there is a balance that is hard to maintain one of letting her go and one of keeping her close.  Just one motherly piece of advice keep working hard in school to maintain your class rank and GPA.   Emily is Awesome!

Day 112 Lydia's Birthday!

Lydia testing frosting on the birthday cake. I had so much fun decorating my birthday cake.

Posing for Birthday pictures and waiting for dad to come home from his meeting!

Opening presents is lots of fun!  Thanks everyone for all the gifts! my grandparents sent me some really cool drawing books and a necklace and a book about Joseph Smith!

Blowing out my 7 candles!  I hope all my wishes come true!

Showing off another gift, new hair clips!

Happy Birthday to my now 7 year old! My favorite things about Lydia!

L Love, she shares it with everyone!

Y "Yes,Yes,  crocodile"  is a favorite thing to say!

D  Delightful!  You can see the joy in her eyes!

I  I can do that, but only if I want to!

A  A+ Loves School and her teachers!

We love Lydia and we are so grateful she came to our family 7 years ago today!

Day 111 Friday

I love that Fridays signify the end of the school and work weeks. It's been a busy week and it is fun to slow down a little and have a change of pace.  Notice it's a change of pace not a time to do nothing.  The boys started their weekend by getting packed and leaving on a camping trip with the scout troop.  They are going to go fishing tomorrow and finish their fishing merit badges.   Emily started her weekend with a trip to the mall with some friends and then to the high school play.  Jessy, Bill, Lydia, and I went to the Juke Box Cafe and had dinner together.  Lydia wanted spaghetti for her birthday dinner and we knew we wouldn't have time tomorrow so she had her favorite!!  We enjoyed the time together!

110

This morning Austin got up bright and early and went on a field trip to Gettysburg.  He has been talking about this field trip for at least a month.  In the reenactment he was the flag carrier, so he was killed early in the battle.  He liked the bus tour of the battlefield.  He can tell you tons of trivia about the battle of Gettysburg.  It was a wonderful opportunity for the 6th graders to get to travel 3 hours to such an important battle field and see where Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address.
   Bill has a new hobby to do in his free time.  I think this is so cool it will become my new hobby if I can figure out the software.  He purchased a vinyl cutter!  You can make signs that go on your walls or on cars or windows.  They can go about anywhere!  I am sure you have seen them around.  Here is one we designed with a quote from the movie Forever Strong.  I thought it would be a great reminder to the kids as they leave the house.  The picture isn't great but the sign is.  I've seen scriptures done and sayings of all sorts.  So if you think of a quote or something you want on your wall let me know.  We are still learning.  The thing is when you are tired of it you can take it off without ruining your paint and it's like it was never there before.  Love it!  Oh yea Bill doesn't have free time so I have to figure out the software fast!  I can't wait to do one in the kitchen.!

 Austin and Jason had a cinnamon eating contest.  I don't think they realized what a hot dry spice cinnamon can be when you eat a teaspoon of it straight without anything else.  They both had big baby tears after they ate it.  See their crinkled up faces.  Such a crazy challenge.

109 Success

I saw these beautiful blue Orchids at Walmart and I treated myself to this beautiful unique flower!
  Bill and I enjoyed a wonderful Salmon Dinner at Okras!  Sometimes we have to have a date night in the middle of the week because the schedule gets a little crazy!  I am so thankful for Bill!  I have had a few bad days emotionally but he hangs onto me and knows that I will make it through it!
  I am so proud of all of Bill's hard work.  He has been giving classes on Leadership at Micron and has had a very successful team in CMP.  The leadership team has given Bill a new opportunity to move into a new group CVD as a leader of more individuals.  He has worked hard with the CMP group and they have improved so much .  Here is what his boss said about him

Team-

I want to thank Bill for all of his hard work and dedication to the CMP cause!  He has taught us all many things, is a great colleague, and more importantly a great friend!  Bill has personally made my transition into CMP that much easier.  The CMP Team is performing at a high level and Bill Ward had a major influence in this!  CVD holds the keys to MTV site success, and Bill will meet this new challenge head on, they are lucky to have him.  Thank you for everything!!

Thomas    

Bill moves on again!  I'm sure that his time will even be more valuable as he balances his new responsibilities at work. I'm grateful that he likes new challenges and opportunities!

108 Visiting School

Today I went with Lydia to school.  I wanted to observe her to see if she has seizures at school.  I stayed for half of the day and  watched how she interacts with other classmates, teachers and how she learns.  I learned a lot about Lydia as I watched.  She raises her hand and does exactly what the teacher asks.  She is persistent at raising her hand even when her teacher doesn't notice for a long time.  She is quite and somewhat shy among her peers.   She tried so hard to complete her seat work for language arts during an episode of clustered seizures.  As I was watching her I was almost in tears she would have it figured out what to do but then she would have a seizure and have to start all over again figuring it out.  She couldn't finish the assignment because she had spent a good ten minutes with this cluster of seizures.  It's like she blacks out for small moments her hands and arms flail out and her eyes twitter and then she's back, but she can't remember her thoughts right before it happens. I am sure this is affecting her performance and learning in school.  May 21st is the big day we go see the neurologist.  Hopefully we will get some answers.   I enjoyed eating lunch with her and then I returned home.  Later in the week I hope to see what an afternoon is like for her.  I'm wondering if she has more seizures in the afternoon when she is tired.  I love Lydia and pray that we are able to find out what is wrong and how we can help her.  She is truly a joy in our lives.  The Lord will help us to do the best thing for her. 

107

Finding solitude is sometimes difficult, so I don't often seek it.  But today I needed some time to think and move away from all the noise and confusion of the house.  I spent some time out on the front stoop enjoying the flowers in the new flower beds. It was the warmest day of the year so far about 90 degrees.  It was too hot for April.  Sometimes you just need to think and you wish that you could leave it all behind and go away, but in your heart if you look real deep you know you want to be right where you are, you just need a break.  A break from all the questions, dinner duties, dirty bathrooms, floors that longed to be mopped, cobwebs that need to be dusted, clothes that need washed and all the other stuff that are on the priority list.  ......And you really wonder if that will really happen.......   because when reality hits and you return from your break no matter how long or short,  it will still be there because you are the mom, the master of all those duties.

106 Um

Today as I walked down the hall after church a brother whom I had been speaking to earlier asked me "How I did everything I was expected to do."
When he asked me I felt the tears rise, but I was able to hold them.  I replied with a quiver in my throat, " I can only look at one day at a time, if I look farther into the week I get over whelmed."
I guess I need to just leave this entry with only those words and leave the rest unsaid.

AND THIS TO SHALL PASS.............

105 Flowers

The beautiful flower beds we worked on today

Love the foxgloves and the gate it sets off the front

flower bed from the side of the house.

I just love these hanging baskets and the white clematis

that is going to grow up the light post.

We had a very busy day!  Willy, Lydia, and I went over early this morning to Baldwin Elementary School and participated in some community service by helping with cleaning out flower bed, mulching, and beautifying the school grounds.  It was a great way to give a little.  Unknown to me the rest of the family were home doing the same thing around our home.  It turned out so sweet!  I love the flowers and the dark mulch they put around.  I'm so proud of all the hard work everyone put in!  Thanks Bill for choosing such beautiful flowers! 

Day104 Enjoy

Well it's Friday!!!  I enjoyed today! I enjoyed walking my 1.5 miles to my weight watcher meeting and 1.5 miles back, even if my broken toe hurt in both directions.  I enjoyed the nice weather! I enjoyed seeing the kids happy as they walked through the door after school.  Some came in alone, but one came in with a friend that she has a major crush on.  The boys love to get up in her grill about him,but they like him too.  I really enjoyed going out to dinner with my man even though the food was mediocre at best, the company was grand.  Bill had wonderful news about work and a possible promotion that will happen soon.  I enjoyed finding the right color of paint for our bedroom with Bill and now can't wait to see it painted.  All in all an enjoyable day!

Weigh in
Lost 2.8 lbs
Total lost for 15 weeks
31.2 lbs

Day 103 Eggplant

I made something for dinner that I have never made before using a vegetable that I really didn't know what it tasted like.  Everyone liked my vegetarian dinner!  I made eggplant tomato and basil.  It was a totally Italian dish with ragu over the roasted eggplant slices with fresh basil leaves and shredded mozzarella cheese.  I found it in a weight watchers cook book.  I loved the flavor.  I also think the color of an eggplant is relatively beautiful.  Three cheers for a new menu item.  I think I will make this more often then spaghetti.  Healthy and delicious

Day 102

Thoughts from a psycho woman.......
  "Sometimes there are thoughts that I think that make me  think I am crazy and that being a hermit would be the type of life I would like.  I really do believe that if I didn't breathe so loud or if I was invisible it might be a good thing.  I think that being a fly on the wall would suit me best.  I could listen to the best gossip and yet not have a way to share it. Or I could know the best jokes and laugh out loud and no one would hear me.  I wouldn't disappoint anyone or look silly when I should have put my foot in my mouth.  I wouldn't have to say no because no one would ask me to do something I don't want to do and then I wouldn't have to be brave to do the most simplest task."

I'm not psycho woman but I can relate.

Day 101 A Place To Sleep

Jessica decided that home life is a little chaotic and noisy.  How can that be? I think she just forgot how busy and crazy it is with all five kids talking, and jumping, and running, and begging, and some crying, and fighting, and wanting attention.  I think I would like to go back to only 3 other adult people in a small apartment.  So she decided she would like a bedroom away from others so we created a bedroom down in the basement.  We bought shelves and put all the stuff on them to create walls and emptied cloth drawers so she could have a dresser and there already was a desk.  So wallah a room .  So glad I could make her happy.

Day 100 Wow

Here we are at the top of the loop
Amazing that it's been 100 days.
  For the last day of Spring Break we went on a wonderful hike at Sky Meadows State Park. The whole family plus Jason went on this cool breezy Spring day! The green trees and grasses lined the trail, the birds were chirping, the violets were blooming, and the sky was a beautiful blue. We hiked 6 miles and saw an old homestead and beautiful scenery. The kids complained somewhat on the way up the mountain. It was a whole different story as we took the loop heading back to the car. Their attitude changed and they were happy and skipping as we walked the next three miles. I think life is a somewhat like a hike, going up hill is like the trials we may face sometimes they are very long and they seem that they may never end. But there will be a turn around point eventually and the world will seem greener and the trip will feel lighter and your feet will move a bit faster like the down hill portion of the hike. But without the long trek up you would have never had the joy and exhilaration of the grassy descent. It was a wonderful day to spend together!

The kids played tag down the mountain

Day 99: Awesome DAY!!!!

Hello World its me again (Em),

I am here to announce that, not only was today the almost-hundredth-post-day, but also Easter and the day of birth of my favorite Mom!!  Happy Birthday Lauril Ward!!!!!

So forgot to ask how to turn the picture, but here she is!!!! 

This is the awesome lady who I am sure you have all heard of.  She is not only great, but great looking too!!!!!

I love her so much, today she turned 34 and is looking as awesome as ever!!!! :)

Little did you know, my mother is not just a mother, she "doubles" as a college counselor, LDS ninja spy (aka. Primary presidency member, if you want to use a better known term), an 8 star (out of 5 stars) chef, and an all around awesome person!! I wouldn't trade my mom for anyone, or anything EVER!

My mom is lucky enough to share her birthday with the Easter Holiday.  (Which means she didn't have to cook very much).

Easter is an important time to focus on the Resurrection and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I love the Atonement of Christ and all that it provides for us.  Tonight before bed, our parents took some time to help Lydia understand that the Atonement allows us to not only be resurrected but, obtain everlasting life. What a wonderful thing to know!!!

I am so Grateful for the Atonement and The Plan of Happiness. Through the Atonement, we have countless opportunities to repent and draw closer to God.  I hope that one day I can stand in God's presence and thank Him for everything that He has done for me.  

-Em

Day 98 JESSY!!!!!!!!!!

Hey everybody, If you can't tell it is EMiLy again.

Today was an awesome day!!!!!  The family got up in the morning at 7ish and picked up Jessy at the Airport.  We have been so excited about this for weeks/months/since she left.

This is our first shot of her when she came out of the airport. This was right after a giant bear hug. :)

The kids traveled home, while the parents attended a baptism afterwards. 

 (DON'T WORRY THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION DURING THE TAKING OF THIS PICTURE.) 

The rest of the day was fun. Jessy was very loopy because she had slept like 5 hours in three days (might be the wrong ratio, but you get my point.)  We wouldn't let her drive, which was a good idea!!!!  At home we slept, ate, and watched some Netflix.  After a while I took Jessy and we went Mormon prom dress shopping.  Hehehe. Found a cute and simple dress!!  But the best news of the day is JESSY IS HOME FOR THE SUMMER!!!!

Day 97 Hiking Bull Run Mountain

It was a breezy cool morning but we decided to take repeat hike up Bull Run Mountain.  Nothing like getting you blood flowing and the cool clear air in your lungs.  Austin took the lead on the hike up and did a great job!  A few weeks ago he went with the scouts on a hike and we decided to help him out with a new pair of shoes and some spandex.  This seemed to help.  Yesterday he told us that he had lost 5 lbs.  When he told us this his eyes lit up.  I guess the change in our diets and the physical activity is helping everyone.  The hike up the mountain was great and seemed much easier than the trail we had taken up last time.  On the way back we let Austin use his map skills.  We got off onto wrong trails and then figured out how to get back to the trail we wanted.  We had fun crossing streams with our new trekking poles.  Which I must say I will never leave on a hike without them ever again.  We were all a little tired when we finally made it back to the car after the 4 hour hike.  The trees are green and the flowers were out and there were beautiful swallow tail butterflies along the trail.  What a wonderful way to spend the day together!  I sure wish we would have remembered the camera but didn't, so no pictures. 

Can't wait to see Jessica's face tomorrow morning at 8:30 am She is taking the red eye tonight!

Day 96 Honey Day

I love days like today Bill took the day off, and Bill and I enjoyed the day together.  We celebrated my Birthday by going to the temple.  I just love to go and feel the spirit.  I especially love going with the man of my dreams.  I love to look at him all dressed up and I love holding his hand and looking in his eyes without being interrupted by the children.  We enjoyed walking around the temple grounds and lunch together.  It's the best way to spend alone time.

The kids did great without us even though there were a few disagreements Willy finished sorting and re staking the wood and weed whacking the Hickmans yard.  Austin swept and mopped the sun room.  Emily worked on her room and her homework.  It was great to have that all done before we came home. 

We are excited that Jessica will be home Saturday morning.  We can't wait!

Day 95

Hi Blog viewers, Its Em today!!!!!

Monday I went to the zoo with my best buddy Jason! We took the VRE and the Metro into DC and enjoyed the day.  May I just recommend if you are not a quiet person do not get on the quiet car it is too quiet and it is very easy to annoy people if you are not careful.  Do not ask how we ended up on that car.  We beat our friends to the zoo by an hour (they drove), so we had a lovely picnic! We enjoyed the animals quite a bit. :)

I took a lot more.  There are more on facebook!  

On our journey home we had a harder time finding the VRE after getting off the metro, but we made it.  We were not on the quiet car on the ride home thank goodness.  To celebrate we were extra loud... I am pretty sure that we scared some of the passengers... but yea.

Metro, yea umm don't know how to rotate the picture... sorry.

VRE

Jason!!!

Day 94 What Happened?

Today just went by so fast.  Do you have day that you know that the day happened and you ran all day but you are not certain exactly what transpired.  You look back and you really know that you lived the day worked hard kept the children moving but you can only recall only one thing.  Sort of a time warp and I remember taking Willy, Austin and JD to the movie Hunger Games.  The movie was great, however,  I loved the detail the author used to describe the scenes.  In fact I am not sure that the story would be complete in the movie without the knowledge that I had from reading the book.  I enjoyed spending time with the boys and JD.  I learned about new science videos called vsauce.  very cool! thanks JD.  I'm so glad that I can recall taking the kids to the movie and one other thing Bill coming home about 8:00.  Love time out of school.

Day 93

First official day of Spring Break and it is off to a wonderful beginning.  Emily and Jason took the vre and the metro to the Zoo and had a great time with Ibrahim, Shilo and her family.  Latter in the evening they went to the movies.  Hopefully I can get Emily to write more about her wonderful fun adventure.  Willy went over to JD's and played video games.  Lydia and I went to Gainsville and picked up shirts and we went to the Library.  Austin didn't want to go so he stayed home and played on the computer  and watched TV.  It's going to be fun.

Day 92 Golden Rule?

This weekend I think my children may have spent too much time together.  Lydia and Austin were having a bit of an argument so I sat them down and reminded them of the golden rule. Lydia interrupted me and said I know the golden rule.  "If someone is mean to you you have to be mean back to them." That's why I can hit Austin if he hits me.  I gently corrected her but she reassured me that being mean back when someone is mean to you is what the golden rule is.  I asked her where she learned this she said her teacher told it to her at school.   Oops I think she got it a little backwards.  We tried to correct her several times but she is positive that is the golden rule.  Family Home Evening will be a great opportunity to reteach learn and help change behavior.  Wow maybe she has missunderstood me so many times that what she is doing is doing what she thinks is right but it is wrong. We have so much to learn.